First details of when Hartlepool's sports and leisure facilities will reopen

Mill House Leisure Centre, Brierton Sports Centre, the Headland Sports Centre and the Summerhill Visitor Centre are all due to re-open during August, helping people to return to physical activity and a healthier lifestyle.

This follows the announcement of a programme of outdoor fitness classes at Brierton and Summerhill, which will begin on Monday, July 20.

The first facility to open its doors for indoor activities will be Brierton Sports Centre, where the main sports hall has been converted into a large gym.

This is currently scheduled for the week commencing August 3. The outdoor 3G sports pitch will also be available for booking.

Mill House will follow shortly afterwards, with the Headland Sports Centre and Summerhill expected to re-open by the end of August.

Initially the leisure centre at Mill House will be available for club training. However, the swimming pools will be open for both club and public recreational swimming.

Alongside Summerhill Visitor Centre, Headland will host fitness classes. But it will also provide space for activities such as badminton or table tennis.

Councillor Shane Moore, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “This is a significant step forward as we continue to emerge from lockdown, and I’m pleased that we are now in a position to be able to plan for the re-opening of these key facilities.

“We strongly believe that there are no circumstances where exercise is not a good thing and we are delighted to be opening up our exercise facilities for our customers again. We look forward to welcoming them back.

“The safety of customers and staff is our top priority and a lot of work is being carried out to enable people to make the comeback with confidence."

Safety measures will include restricting the number of people allowed to take part in activities, and requiring them to always book in advance. A member of staff will be placed at the entrance to facilities to welcome and guide customers.

Additionally, staff are to undergo training on covid-19 management. Signage will be places throughout the buildings, offering clear guidance to customers.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.

How to subscribe to the print edition:

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.